band |band|
noun
1. a group of people who have a common interest or purpose

mercy |mur see|
noun ( pl. -cies )
1. motivated by compassion

Band of Mercy is an abolitionist, animal advocacy organization. We are above-ground activists fighting to end all forms of speciesism and dedicated to total animal liberation.

As abolitionists, Band of Mercy rejects all forms of oppression and fights for the liberation and equality of all sentient beings regardless of struggle. Speciesism, racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, and classism are mutually reinforcing. Until all are free, no one is.

Band of Mercy was founded in December 2009, and inspired by the late Bands of Mercy of the 19th century. Established in 1875 by Catherine Smithies, a British anti-slavery activist, the Bands of Mercy encouraged kindness and love towards all animals. The first American chapter of the Band of Mercy was founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1882 spreading the same message of animal rights. Since then, other animal rights activists have adopted the name and revived the group, such as Ronnie Lee and Cliff Goodman in 1972.

Band of Mercy is committed to effective actions for animals. Our part to end the abuse and exploitation of animals includes protests and demonstrations. We also hold social events in order to gather community and fight oppression as one.

Supported Campaigns and Programs
- Project Rescue
- Boycott Pet City

From the beginning to the end, without compromise.

Band of Mercy

Vegan : a person who morally abstains from all products derived and exploited from animals, including but not limited to flesh, dairy, eggs, honey, wool, leather, and down.

Vegetarian: (1) vegetarians are the original vegans. The definition of vegetarianism has been distorted by modern society overtime to include dairy, eggs and other animal "products" (i.e. lacto-ovo vegetarian, ovo-vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, or vegetarians who eat honey). (2) vegetarianism is derived from the Latin word 'vegetus' meaning 'lively'.

Healthetarian: a person who adopts a diet free of animal "products" for health purposes rather then ethics.

Pescetarian: an omnivore partial to eating sea life

Flexitarian: an omnivore seeking social affirmation within the vegetarian community, although one who claims this title prioritizes their self-interests before the suffering of animals.

Abolitionism: the deconstruction and elimination of a system, practice or institution built on oppression. In relation to the animal liberation movement, abolitionism is the ideology that all beings should live a life free from abuse, murder, enslavement and objectification.

Animal liberation: the direct release of animals from suffering, oppression and captivity (also, see animal liberationist).

Animal liberationist: one who commits to abolitionism ideologically and in praxis. In addition, a liberationist supports animal liberation, but does not necessarily engage in the direct release of animals.

Animal rights: the abolitionist approach to protect all animals from abuse and exploitation.

Animal welfare: advocation of gradual change to ease some of the immediate suffering of animals (i.e. faster killing methods and larger cages). Welfarists are prone to leading legislative and regulatory efforts.

Eco-feminism: the ideology that connects the principles of feminism with earth and animal liberation. It rejects the patriarchal conception that animals, nature and women are objects or property.